This had a disappointing end.

The novel begins with a child, Kathy Stone, escaping capture. She had disappeared for a year when she was found wandering around the road at night. Her parents are ecstatic to get her back but Kathy has been non-verbal since returning. Her mother knows she must get help and she believes the local child therapist, Robin Hart, can help her.

Robin followed the case of Kathy's shocking disappearance like the rest of the town. When Kathy's mother asks her to help her daughter, Robin can't say no and takes the case. Robin wants to help Kathy and her play sessions are usually quite successful. As Kathy starts trusting Robin, the therapy process, and her own safety, her reenactments become too real. It seems that Kathy is reenacting real murders!!

I have a few issues with the story and the characters.

Robin is supposed to be a great therapist but her relationship with her own mother is so dysfunctional and the whole thing with the dollhouse was nuts. Her behavior was beyond childish. You would think she would have learned some coping mechanisms to deal with her crazy mother.

The worst was where the story went at the end. In my opinion, the big reveal was too out there to be believable.

Cliffhanger: No

3/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Please Tell Me by Mike Omer tells us the story of eight-year-old Kathy Stone, who has just turned up on the side of a buys road, one year after her kidnapping. As those around her (and the world) wait for her to tell what had happened to her in the last year, Kathy remains mute. Kathy begins to visit child therapist Robin Hart, where she engages in play therapy, using dolls to process her memories of that time in her life. But as they work together, each session ends with another doll dead in a different way.

This book was very well paced. Omer stops pretty much each chapter in the middle of an exciting scene. We also got multiple POVs, including that of the serial killer. I think this was a well written, twisty story that any suspense/mystery lover will enjoy. I have not read other books by Mr. Omer, but I will be adding them to my TBR list.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Please Tell Me is my first time reading Mike Omer, but it will certainly not be my last! In fact, I just added every single one of his books to my want-to-read shelf, and I can tell he is going to be a new favorite. This book was extremely dark and had quite a few different viewpoints, but it was generally easy to keep them all straight. The various viewpoints provide the reader with different aspects of the story, and it makes it feel like we get a little bit of everything with our thriller. It is a mystery as well of course, but also a bit of a police procedural and we have a dash of the serial killer's POV. Robin the child psychologist is our main viewpoint and I loved her more and more as the book went on.

I also have to give props to the audiobook narrator Marcella Cox. For the number of POVs in Please Tell Me I should have needed/wanted a full cast, but Cox did such a great job that I didn't end up feeling that way at all. I think this also says something about the writing, and I was impressed that Omer could write something that complex but also easy to follow along with as well. Despite the twistiness of the storyline, and my being 100% into what was happening, it did feel like something was missing but I couldn't tell you what it was. In theory, this should have been a 5-star read for me, but it did fall a bit short which could totally have been due to my mood as well. I think fewer viewpoints would have been helpful to keep the tension high, but overall, this was a very solid and engrossing read that I would recommend to thriller and mystery lovers. I would just make sure to check triggers before picking it up.

Honestly found myself reading for hours at a stretch. Good writing, and i didn't get the sense that a thesaurus was consulted for every paragraph. I'm likely to buy other books from this author.

It took me forever to read this because I struggled to get into it or stay interested. I see it’s on KU so I may revisit it later.

A dark and creepy story that will have you on the edge of your seat! I loved this book and feel like I have to watch a funny show after finishing it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A mystery with a child as the unreliable narrator as she is unable to speak or write to explain what happened when she was abducted 1 year prior. Slowly the clues are revealed as Kathy sees a child psychologist name Robin, who is mother was friendly with in high school. All of the "small town" connections make the mystery a bit more confusing and the secrets get revealed as we dive in further into the story.
A well written and unpredictable mystery. A solid 4 stars.

One of the book's strengths lies in its level of creepiness and the gradual rise of tension. The slow unveiling of details surrounding Kathy's ordeal adds layers of intrigue. The incorporation of the dollhouse plotline adds complexity to the narrative.

However, the novel does have its drawbacks. The portrayal of villains as straight-up evil is lacking in depth and leaves you wishing for more complex motivations. The inclusion of a romance subplot feels unnecessary. The heavy emphasis on COVID-19 feels out of place and doesn't contribute to the plot.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a thriller/ mystery novel and for those who aren't disturbed by heavy topics (kids abduction, trauma).

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thankyou netgalley for my copy for an honest review.

I had zero expectations going into this. I’ve never read from this author and I was just expecting a usual thriller and nothing special. However I loved this!
The plot was so original. I have never read a book that has both a serial killer plot line and a child kidnapping plot line.
There is quite a few different pov’s and timelines and I really loved that. It made it feel like a tv show.
Reading from a child therapists point of view was really interesting and the way that the mystery was slowly unfolding through these therapy sessions was really engaging.
I will definitely have a look at Mike Omer’s other works.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't what I expected. The mystery aspect was pretty confusing and the ending quite underwhelming. I think it also dragged a little in some parts and I felt like I had to force myself to continue. I only finished it because it was an arc and because the relationship between the MC and the kid felt somehow solid enough to continue reading.

Great read of a kidnapped child’s return home and how therapy helps reveal the kidnapper and a serial killer. Kept my interest, suspenseful, and good ending.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read anything by Mike Omer before, but this won't be the last time I pick something up by this author. This read was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The opening of the book hooked me good and the way the book was written definitely threw me off the trail. When I thought one thing, I would instantly think another and I had no idea what was going to happen. It was clear to me that the author did a great job of researching therapists (I believe he has family in the field, possibly?) and it was a great insight to a career I'm not familiar with.

I'm definitely interested in what this author writes and I'll pick up the next release for sure!

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. Interesting premise for sure. A psychologist and a child who had been kidnapped? Say less.

Please Tell Me by Mike Omer

Not my favorite by this author but a solid story. The synopsis sounded intriguing with the therapist there to help a child that escaped her kidnapper and a serial killer on the loose. The first chapter drew me in and set the stage but as the characters appeared I started to wonder if I would finish the book as it went from one dysfunctional couple/family to the next.

What I liked:
* The idea of having a child therapist using play therapy as a main character and her part in the story – I was expecting someone with more experience, maturity, and less personal issues though
* Kathy’s resilience, ability to escape, and her coping skills after the trauma she experienced
* The setting of a small town with the tensions, gossip, and everyone knowing one another
* The relationship between Robin, the therapist, and her sister Melody
* Melody’s healthy relationship with her husband and children – they seemed normal
* Jimmie who owned the diner and seemed a central place in town – seemed like a solid person
* The way the play therapy gave clues to finding a serial killer – though it took a bit to believe it would unfold as it did
* That the evil doers were eventually found and dealt with

What I had trouble with:
* Robin’s dysfunctional family – her mother was a piece of work that Melody seemed to “see” and handle much better than Robin did
* The romance that suddenly happened – felt like there should have been more to draw the couple together and time for them to be drawn to one another
* That there wasn’t enough backstory to validate why the evil was done by the characters doing it
* Understanding how Robin’s ex, Clair’s husband, and Robin’s father could be so clueless and lacking in empathy
* The believability factor that was missing for me

Did I enjoy this book? Not as much as I had hoped I would
Would I read more by this author? Yes, if the synopsis appealed, I would give it a try

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

This is a PHENOMENAL thriller. I was genuinely uneasy and full of anticipation throughout the entire story. I feel like centering a thriller around a child goes either VERY right or VERY wrong. Omer did it right. The characters were built with so much intention, to the point where the tension between Kathy's parents feels so real to me. This story felt very layered, very anxiety inducing, and veryyyyy good.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. Wow! This storyline was amazing and kept me reading way past my bedtime. I loved the multiple POV and the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book. I liked the story and the main characters. Sometimes I feel that the relationship between the main character (Robin) and her mother Diana wasn't really explored enough. There are hints of a pretty dysfunctional and fairly emotionally (if not at times physically) abusive relationship, but they never really let that part of the story play out. To me, they could have just skirted around the issue if they were not going to go into more detail. But the story is about Robin, who is a child therapist helping children who have suffered trauma etc. She is currently seeing Kathy, a little girl who was abducted. The book revolves around the clues that Kathy gives in her sessions and the ultimate search for the person or persons who took her. The story has a good pace overall and although sometimes there were parts that felt a bit rushed, it was an enjoyable read. I will check out some of the author's other books as well now.

I just could not get into this one at all. I thought it was slow and never seemed to pick up the pace. The characters are good, and the plot was good, but the pacing was lacking. If you are a fan of Mike Omer, like me, don't let this review deter you from reading this book. Every author that one book that just doesn't speak to you and this was it for me.

i absolutely LOVED this book. it’s unlike anything else i’ve ever read and it genuinely kept me guessing. i couldn’t turn the pages fast enough because trying to figure out what that little girl witnessed was addicting! i highly recommend this book!